Archive for February, 2008

I have a weakness for Judas Priest. I always have. Any band name that illicits a sigh and head shake from your mom is a good one.

I intend zero irony in posting this video. It completely got me off. To start a big arena rock concert with a long drum intro followed by twin axemen appearing in clouds of smoke is exactly as it should be done. I admire anything that’s done right.

Please forgive the overly clever Sun Kil Moon reference in the title (if you know it.)

Long before Jeff Lynne pioneered the most lifeless drum sound in the history of rock and roll, long before his trademark “choir of sissies” background vocal sound marginalized otherwise good songs, he played guitar in a truly great band. And I don’t mean ELO, who admittedly have their moments, I mean The Move.

To be honest, I didn’t have particularly high expectations for this show. I am almost always underwhelmed by watching rock and roll singers sit on stools and sensitively croon their hits for the nostalgia crowd. I went to the show pretty much just out of respect for a great songwriter.

When he belted out a passionate perfect version of There She Goes Again from his stacked debut album, I woke up and took notice. He held myself and my companions spellbound from start to finish. The mix of new material and classics from his early days was just right. I know what you’re thinking, and I promise you the newer material was not cringe-causing in any way.

I’m starting to think I don’t have to get home with a headache, hearing damage, and a stranger’s puke on me to be moved by rock and roll. If I didn’t know better, I’d say I might be “maturing” as a human being and music fan. Nah.

Anyway, Marshall Crenshaw is both a fabulous singer and guitar player. I had underrated him as just a pretty good writer of power pop. The guy is quite a talent. After more than two weeks, I still can’t get Maryanne, Cynical Girl, Someday Someway, and a host of other should-be-classic pop songs out of my head. There is no higher praise for music.

I’ve always liked Dead Meadow. When you look at those guys in person, you can tell that music is all the fuck they care about. I love the way they take a simple slow riff and punish it into submission.

I finally got Feathers . It came out in 2005, I believe. It expands on their riff-driven sound without moving too far away. I love this song, but it’s not even close to being the best on the album. The video, an homage to the film Picnic at Hanging Rock, is a perfect match for the song.

I’ve been sick at home for a few days with an inner ear infection. I sought solace in music this morning and couldn’t find it anywhere in my itunes. For some reason, The Church popped into my mind. I think I heard a snippet of Under the Milky Way at work on Monday. I forgot how strong their songs were. Marty Wilson-Piper is on the shortlist of post-60’s jangle kings.

My favorite bands throughout my teenage years were “The Three R’s”. Believe it or not, that means Rush, The Replacements, and REM. Which band doesn’t fit? I just can’t help myself when it comes to Rush. I truly loved REM and stuck by them even when they started to suck. Sometimes I need a reminder of how incredibly special they were because now none of what made them magical is on display. Here’s a reminder.